Answering Nurse Interview Questions About Your Training

When you're interviewing for a nurse position, you'll be asked about your skills and experience, your training and your interests. Some questions will be basic, such as why do you want to be a nurse? Others will be more in-depth such as explain your strengths and weaknesses as a nurse.

Below are some standard nursing interview questions, questions you can ask your prospective employer, and answers to the question, "How has your training prepared you for the challenges you will face in this position?"

Some Standard Nursing Interview Questions

How would you describe your skills as a team player?

How will you deal with difficult doctors?

How will you deal with difficult patients and/or their families?

How will you handle unexpected circumstances, such as being short staffed and having to perform a treatment you have not done before?

Questions About Training

Here are some sample answers to the job interview question, "How has your training prepared you for the challenges you will face in this position?"

I had an internship position at an oncology center after graduating last May, which gave me hands-on experience with patients, and I am anxious to pursue my career specializing in cancer treatment.

My clinical training in the emergency room of City Hospital prepared me for the fast-paced care required of an ER Nurse.

I had the opportunity to work as a research assistant for Dr. Zane, who was writing about new findings in the treatment of heart disease when I was working at City Hospital. The knowledge I gained during that time prepared me for assisting with cardiac patients in a more effective way.

Nursing Questions to Ask the Interviewer

Below are some examples of nursing interview questions you should ask a potential employer.

What is the nurse-to-patient ratio?

Is there support staff on the unit to assist nurses?

In what ways are nurses held accountable for high qualities of practice?

How much input do nurses have regarding systems, equipment, and the care environment?

What professional development opportunities are available to nurses?

More Nursing Related Questions

What type of nursing experience do you have?

Where did you get your training and what certifications do you have?

How long has it been since you worked in (ER, OR, ICU, or particular specialty area)?

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

Why did you choose (ER, OR, ICU, LTC, FNP, or other specialty areas of nursing)?

Why do you want to work in our hospital and/or community?

Tell me about a time in which you had to handle an irate physician, co-worker, or patient. How did you handle it and what were the results?

Describe a difficult decision you've made and the process you went through to reach that decision.